Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-08-20

THE LAST MAN.
The light was well spent, and darkness
was near, when thu enemy's attacks
ceased on that part Of the Federal line at
Chickamauga which was held by the
troops under Thomas, on the second day.
Between the left Of these forces and that
remainder of the army which had not left
the field lay q long stretch of forest, efiec-
finally cutting OF the view between the
two points. Just at dusk there was borne
across this forest q sound Of rapid mus
kerry, but this was soon over, and then
followed prolonged cheering. 1t was clear
10 those with Thomas that the cheers
came from Confederates, and signined q
capture Of more or less importance. The
incident served, In connection with what
followed, to cast q deeper gloom over the
exhausted soldiers.
That which followed was an order to
withdraw from the field in retreat to
Chattanooga The left of Thomas line
rested upon q ridge, the end of which
was covered with standing corn. At the
foot Of the ridge, TO the left, was q fence,
and beyond this the forest already mem
toned. A line oil Federal skirmishers
was posted along the fence, and the orders
were for this line 10 remain until the
troops were well Oh the ridge in their re-
make the best Of their way to rejoin the
column. The skirmish line wa composed
Of . single regiment, and q captain vas in
command, all the field officers having
fallen in the two days fighting. The cap
tain, a straight ard soldierly fellow, with
bright brown hair and beard closely cut,
was waiting with what patience he could
command until ais time came to retreat.
IL wse an uncertain service at best, this
staying behind in skirmish line while the
army marched away. So thought the
captain, evidently, as he moved uneasily
o few PAGES back and forth behind his
men. There was something else to trouble
him; he WINGED whenever he put his left
foot to the ground.
The captain had been waiting nearly
half an hour when there anne an ominous
sound from the forest In front. 1t was
too dark to see, but there could be no mis-
taking that sound. II was the tramp Of
men coming cautiously on, a q force
would do in the dark, expecting to meet
IN enemy at every step. The captain
thought IL yet too early to retire, and s
there was nothing for it but TO await the
oncoming force and trust to fortune. On
It came, and presently the dusky forms of
q line Of skirmishers were seen scarcely
thirty PAGES In front of the Federal line.
At the same instant the captains men,
standing silently in their places, were dis
covered by the others. Neither knew
certainly to which army the other be-
longed. The line which came from the
wood halted without command, hesitating.
Then an officer stepped forward and de-
manded:
What troops are thosei"
Not at a loss for a moment, the Federal
captain responded:
IAN right! We're going up the Hill.
Be ready to support us. Now, then, men
quietly Pass the word alongv'
Whatever the doubts Of the other, the
captein was sure that the force confront
ing him was Confederate. He was at
last relieved Of uncertainty-he must
move now. His men understood; the
command went from man TO man in low
tones, and the whole line Of skirmishers
quietly turned and marched up through
the corn 10 the top Of the ridge. As they
came TO the open ground at the summit
all was still about and In front Of them.
Their comrades were out of hearing in
their retreat. The captain mounted his
borse-which an orderly had been holding
while the captain was on foot with his
skirmishers-and put his little regiment
in motion TO follow the army. He him
self remained until the last of his men
had filed by, and then followed. As he
did this, he turned his face as IL for a last
look at the bloody field. There was moth
ing there now but darkness and silence.
Perfect silence, il seemed, thinking Of
what had been there less than two hours
before II was perfect silence, saw that
200 yards down the ridge to the front,
where the enemy's dead and wounded lay
thickest, a sharp cry came up out Of the
night now and then, as the hospital corps
lifted a sufferer too roughly or turned
soup poor follow owe upon a mangled
limb. Save, also, that q rustling noise In
the corn through which he had Just come
told the captain that the enemy's skir-
mishers left at the fence below were
already moving on his track.
"The last man at Chickamaugap' NUT
tered the captain ~ be rode on after his
regiment.
They passed briskly down the rearward
slope into the deeper shadow of the valley,
and presently turning their heads to look
behind, saw family outlined against the
sky the figure Of the southern skirmishers
n n after another they emerged from
the corn and stood upon the crest.
The last Of Chickamaugai All, mol
Not the last; for NJ the little rear guard
reached the lower ground they came upon
their wounded comrades, who, too badly
hurt 10 20 on TO the rear, had vet with
untold agony dragged themselves back
from the fire swept ground In front, and
. got partial shelter. Along the route
these wretched sufferers lay thickly.
Here one with an arm half torn of; there
q foot dangling; here a poor fellow shot
through the body, his death a question
not of hours, but of minutes; and 30 on,
IN sickening continuance. And all wan
fng waterl There had been none all day,
and the r~etreating soldiers were marching
with lips and tongues blackened and
~-.u.. - n~.nk.I NTH thfraf until